Saints’ Cam Jordan rightfully considered a top-10 edge-rusher in the league

New Orleans Saints’ Cameron Jordan is still making top-10 lists at 32 years old, as Jordan was recently selected as one of the best edge-rushers in the league in 2022.

Drafted by the Saints back in 2011, the first-round defensive end has become a mainstay of the pass-rushing corps totaling 107 sacks in his decade-long career. Jordan recently came off yet another productive season in which he recorded 59 combined tackles, 22 quarterback hits, 12.5 sacks, six passes defended, and two forced fumbles. Not bad for a guy who’s “over the hill.”

The 2021 season marks his tenth-straight year with 7.5 or more sacks, and Jordan shows no signs of slowing down.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler ranked the NFL’s top-10 edge-rushers, pooling the opinions of league execs, coaches, and scouts, and had Jordan just barely making the list at No. 10 overall.

From Fowler’s article, an NFC scout reportedly said of Jordan:

"“Until he shows tangible drop-off, like some of these younger guys who haven’t had nearly the production despite getting all the attention from protections like he does — I’d say he hasn’t fallen off.”"

Fowler also goes on about Jordan’s all-around skills as a defender, particularly in the run defense. Jordan boasts a 33.5 percent run stop win rate that places him at the top of the pack, and he could be considered more of a “complete” defender than most.

NOLA Saints have one of the league’s best pass-rushers in Cam Jordan

Saints fans will be delighted to know that Jordan ranks higher on the list than former Saints player Trey Hendrickson, who was only noted as an honorable mention. Jordan ultimately edged out his former teammate for the No. 10 spot, though Hendrickson may be entering his prime after a successful run with the Cincinnati Bengals last year.

While Hendrickson will always be the one that got away, the Saints are lucky to have a vet like Jordan who serves as both a reliable starter and inspiring mentor.

Jordan, a seven-time Pro Bowler, has stayed incredibly consistent while the Saints look to train their next generation of defensive ends — Marcus Davenport, Payton Turner, and Carl Granderson — each of whom have yet to prove themselves on the field.

This upcoming season could heavily impact those pass-rushers’ futures in NOLA, but one thing remains constant as ever: Jordan dominating the edge year after year.

Eventually, someone will overtake Jordan for his place on the throne, but until then, expect more sacks from one of the best defensive ends the Saints — and the rest of the league — has ever seen.